Prices will be submitted using an online bidding system. The estimated AED 2,000 million ($544 million) project involves the construction of a convention centre, two office towers and a 322-room hotel with a built-up area of about 375,000 square metres. Completion is scheduled for the end of 2008.

In newspaper they say construction has started (obviously refering to piling) but I can't confirm, since this is located further down the Abu Dhabi direction then my office location is, so I don't pass in front of the site.

Leighton wins $746m UAE contract
Leighton subsidiary Leighton International won a $746 million contract to build a high-rise complex and two hotels in the UAE, reported Heraldsun. The company secured work in Dubai and Abu Dhabi through its 45 per cent-owned associate Al Habtoor Engineering in addition to a $520m contract for the construction of a convention centre in Dubai for the Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA). The JAFZA convention centre will contain a 33-storey office complex and seven-storey hotel and food court.

Jebel Ali Free Zone or Jafza, operator of Dubais logistics and industrial special economic zone, said on Monday that it has seen an increase in interest from American and European businesses keen to expand in the region.

Talala Al Hashimi, Managing Director of Economic Zone World, the parent company of Jafza, said that he was surprised by the level of interest shown by Western manufacturers to set-up their operations in Dubai. What we did not expect is the level of interest shown by them.

They have shown tremendous interest to come and establish here.

Al Hashimi reckons that the low overhead costs in Dubai, along with its other strengths such as location, connectivity and infrastructure as the main attractions for these companies.

The downsizing that is happening in US and Europe is good opportunity for us. You cannot produce without employees the overheads are much cheaper here. It is not necessary to have the whole production here but you can have a part of your production here.

He acknowledged that the global economic crisis has impacted Jafza but not at that level we are suffering. The Jafza is confident of achieving a reasonable occupancy rate of 60-70 per cent by the year end. About 6,400 companies operate in Jafza and another 1,000 companies are on the waiting list.

Help for Clients
The majority of the companies affected by the global economic crisis are the ones which had planned construction of their headquarters or warehouses. As you all know, the banks stopped financing these (activities) and they were counting on banks to give financing. They have postponed their projects waiting for banks to open funding.

The company has given extension to those clients who have not met the agreed construction deadlines. As per the rules we have, (a client) has to start (construction) within six months since we sign the agreement.

No Projects on Hold
The company said that all its Dh5 billion expansion projects are on schedule expect for one. The completion of Dh2.5 billion Convention Centre Complex  a mixed commercial development which includes offices and a hotel  has been delayed by a year. It is now expected to be completed by the end of 2011.

The company said that its logistics research and development focused office development, TechnoPark, will be ready by August of this year. It plans to handover 43 new warehouses close to the port by September 2009.

The company also said that it has completed a staff accommodation that can house about 20,000 people and a mall at a combined cost of about Dh650 million.

AltinD, can you please check if this development is making progress or if it is on-hold, because the only image that I could find on the Leighton website looks a bit outdated and I am interested to see if any progress has been made with it.